Junior Cross-Country (XC) Ski Teams
Devo Team
The (Development) Devo Team is a TCCSEA program for athletes (ages 11-14, or entering the 6th grade) with a focus on the early development of cross-country ski skills, techniques, and healthy habits with dryland training. The Devo Team is the second step in our youth development pipeline and is ideal for those who have graduated from Strider Gliders, or similar program, and are dedicated to cross-country skiing. At every practice, Devo coaches strive to help athletes meet their personal, physical, and mental goals in a fun, team setting.
If your athlete(s) is not committed to the physical training and the Devo Team atmosphere, please consider other TCCSEA programs or other after-school activities.
If your child is interested and committed to competing at the Junior National level, our Comp Team may be a good fit. Learn more about our Comp Team by scrolling toward the end of this page. If your athlete is ready to join our Devo Team, please email contact@tahoexc.org.
Year-Round Schedule
- Summer: June 1-August 31 (3 months)
- Fall: September 1-November 30 (3 months)
- Winter: December 1-April 15 (4.5 months)
- Spring: May 1-31 No formal training
Each Session Offers 3 Weekly Workouts for 3 Months
-
Athletes and coaches meet 3 times per week, typically at Tahoe XC:
- Times and locations vary based on activity and coaching schedule
- Practice Thursday, Friday, Sunday
- Practices range from 1-6 hours
- Exceptions may include weather, trail conditions, holidays, coach availability, and “field trip” workouts
- Notifications will be sent ahead of time with details about each workout, time, and meeting place
-
The goal of each workout is to:
- Build upon cross-country ski skills and techniques
- Promote a high level of fitness
- Develop national-level competition readiness
- Foster love for a healthy lifestyle
-
This early stage of development is:
- Time to take the next step in competition
- Increase endurance and strength
- Build upon current skills
-
Expect practices to be:
- Challenging and fun
- Mentally and physically demanding
- A great workout
- Team-building with individual training
- Weekly schedule may change due to Team trips, training camps, or races
On-Snow and Dry-Land Training
Year-round, the Devo Team focuses on developing cross-country ski skills, strength, and technique. Workouts are designed to encourage kids to try a broad range of activities, including but not limited to:
-
Summer Training:
- skate and classic roller skiing
- trail running
- mountain biking
- ski walking
- hill bounding
- hiking
- team games
- plyometrics
- strength
- Winter Training:
- skate and classic skiing
- touring
- strength
- team games
Age Requirement
- Athletes should be between ages 11-14, or entering the 6th grade
- Grouping is by ability and experience so that each workout is appropriately challenging and fun
Cost & Registration
- The program cost is $600 per participant per session
- Camps and races carry additional fees (these are optional, but highly recommended)
- Training camps (Up to 3 camps, over the Summer and Fall sessions)
- Races (Up to 6 races, Winter session)
- No refunds are given for canceled workouts due to weather, trail conditions, or elements outside of our control
- Registration and waiver are required
No Drop-ins at this time
Required Gear
Participants must provide their own gear, which varies based on the workout assigned by the coach. If an athlete does not have the requested gear, the coach will discuss options and find a suitable solution. All athletes are required to provide their own water and snacks, as none are provided. Required gear for successful training includes the following:
Summer/Fall
- Trail running shoes
- Helmet
- Elbow and knee pads
- Eye protection
- Water
- Snacks
- Sunscreen
- Appropriate clothing for training
- Rollerkis (skate and classic specific)
- Rollerski poles (skate and classic specific)
- Smile and a positive attitude
Winter:
- Skate and classic skis
- Ski Boots
- Skate and classic poles
- Eye protection (sunglasses)
- Waterbelt
- Snacks
- Appropriate clothing for training
- Sunscreen
- Smiles and a positive attitude!
Transportation
- Athletes meet at Tahoe XC and work out either at Tahoe XC or are transported to workouts in the team van.
- On some occasions, parent volunteers may be required to help transport athletes on training days.
- Locations range from Tahoe City to West Shore to the Truckee area.
Comp Team
The (Competitive) Comp Team is a TCCSEA program for athletes interested in training and competing at the Junior National level. Comp athletes will be chosen based on performance as well as coaches’ discretion. At every practice, Comp coaches strive to help athletes meet their personal, physical, and mental goals in a small team setting.
Year-Round Schedule
- Summer and Fall: June 1- November 31 (6 months)
- Winter: December 1-April 30 (5 months)
- Spring: (May) No formal training
5 Weekly Workouts (number of days may vary)
- Athletes and coaches meet 5 times per week, typically at Tahoe XC:
- Times and locations vary based on activity and coaching schedule
- Practice Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- Practices range from 1-6 hours
- Exceptions may include weather, trail conditions, holidays, coach availability, and “field trip” workouts
- Notifications will be sent ahead of time with details about each workout, time, and meeting place
- The goal of each workout is to:
- Build upon cross-country ski skills and techniques
- Promote a high level of fitness
- Develop national level competition readiness
- Expect practices to be:
- Challenging and fun
- Mentally and physically demanding
- A great workout
- Team-building with individual training
- Weekly schedule may change due to Team trips, training camps, competitions
On-Snow and Dry-land Training
In summer/fall, and winter, the Comp Team focuses on developing cross-country ski skills, strength, and endurance.
- Summer Training:
- Skate and classic roller skiing - distance and intervals
- Trail running
- Track work- intervals
- Mountain biking
- Ski walking
- Hill bounding - intervals
- Hiking
- Team games
- Strength training
- Winter Training:
- Skate and classic skiing - distance and intervals
- Touring
- Running
- Strength training
- Plyometrics
- Yoga
- Team games
Age and Ability Requirement
The Comp Team is based on ability and the maturity to train at a high level. Requirements to qualify for Comp Team are as follows:
- Qualified for Junior Nationals
- Top 3 at Western Club Championships
- Coaches Discretion
- Shows the ability and maturity to be a Comp Team athlete
- Shows the ability and maturity to be a Comp Team athlete
Cost & Registration
- The program cost is $1800 per participant for the 2023 Summer/Fall Session, 2023/2024 Winter Session program cost is TBD
- Camps and races carry additional fees (these are optional, but highly recommended)
- Training camps (approximately 4- 5 camps, Summer/Fall session)
- Races (approximately 6 races, Winter session)
- Training camps (approximately 4- 5 camps, Summer/Fall session)
- No refunds are given for canceled workouts due to weather, trail conditions, or elements outside of our control
- Registration and waiver are required
Required Gear
Participants must provide their own gear, which varies based on the workout assigned by the coach. If an athlete does not have the requested gear, the coach will discuss options and find a suitable solution. All athletes are required to bring their own water and snacks, as none are provided. Required gear for successful training includes the following:
- Summer/Fall
- Trail running shoes
- Helmet
- Eye protection (sunglasses)
- Waterbelt
- Running water vest
- Snacks
- Sunscreen
- Appropriate clothing for training
- Rollerkis (skate and classic specific)
- Rollerski poles (skate and classic specific)
- Winter/Spring:
- Skate and classic poles
- Boots
- Eye protection (sunglasses)
- Waterbelt
- Snack
- Appropriate clothing for training
- Sunscreen
NOTE: Please do not let gear be an obstacle for your child. If you do not have access to gear on the above list, contact us and we can try to help solve gear issues. We do not want equipment challenges to prevent any child from participating in this program.
Transportation
Athletes meet at Tahoe XC and work out either at Tahoe XC or are transported to workouts in the team van. On some occasions, parent volunteers may be required to help transport athletes on training days.
Team Coaches
2023 Devo Coach: Quinn Lehmkuhl
Quinn Lehmkuhl is a recent graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder where she spent four years racing on the D1 ski team. Prior to her college career she was in Strider Gliders at Tahoe XC and then went on to race for the Tahoe XC Devo team, Auburn Ski Club comp team and North Tahoe High School. She deeply enjoys skiing and believes it can teach athletes great life-long skills while also being fun.
2023 Devo Coach: Julien Bordes
Julien Bordes is a professional cross-country skier. Both French and American born, Julien was raised in Tahoe and participated in Tahoe XC Strider Gliders, Devo, and raced for the North Tahoe Middle/High School teams. As a junior, he was nationally ranked with multiple top 10s at Junior Nationals. He spent a year training and racing in the French alps for La Clusaz with a 2nd place at a French National Championship, and raced for Northern Michigan University NCAA D1 Team. He currently skis for APU Elite Team (Alaska Pacific University), racing on the Super Tour (National Tour) to qualify for World Cup races.
2023 Devo Coach: Casey Jowers
Casey Jowers is an emergency room physician at Tahoe Forest Hospital who, in a time when his job has never been more demanding, offered to take on the role of Junior Developement (Devo) Team coach.
To get an insight of someone who can only regarded as a community hero, Tahoe XC Board Member Renee Koijane recently interviewed Casey Jowers in the Sierra Sun:
2023 Devo Coach: JC Schoonmaker
JC Schoonmaker grew up in Tahoe City, was a Strider Glider, and skied for both Tahoe XC and Auburn Ski Club as a junior. He now attends the University of Anchorage Alaska and ski races collegiately. JC has competed on the national and international stage and is excited to spend his summers in Tahoe, passing on what he’s learned to the younger generation of Tahoe skiers.
How Can You Help Support our Coaches?
We believe coaches are integral to the foundation of our youth programs. Each March, we offer a unique opportunity for you to help support our youth programs through the Kevin Murnane Fund Drive. The Kevin Murnane Coaches Grant directly supports the growth and development of our coaches. Visit here to learn more.
Previous Devo Coaches
At Tahoe XC, we strive to hire relatable, aspiring athletes to coach our youth programs. Over the years, we’ve had many incredible coaches, who often pursue their own form of higher athletics. Many past Devo Team Coaches were once Strider Gliders as well.
- JC Schoonmaker (2020, former Strider Glider)
- Nate Cutler (2020, former Strider Glider)
- Brandon Herhusky (2019, former Stridger Glider)
- n/a (2018)
- Peter Holmes (2017, former Strider Glider)
- Aliska Albrigtsen (2016)
- Wilson Dippo (2015)